YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. -- A horseback rider suffered minor
injuries in an attack by a grizzly bear, park officials said. Richard Romano,
of Belgrade, Mont., was treated for lacerations on his face and forehead
after Friday's encounter in the Black Butte area of the park. Romano told
officials he had ridden into the area, then stopped and dismounted along
a trail near Black Butte Creek to eat a sandwich. He turned to see a 300-pound
grizzly bear behind him. He said the bear swatted him in the face and chest
area, knocking him into a tree. After he fell face down with the bear on
top of him, Romano pulled out a can of bear spray, rolled over and sprayed
the bear in the mouth. The bear rolled off and started coughing. Romano
caught his horse and fled via the trail, returned to his vehicle and drove
north to Big Sky, Mont., to report the incident, officials said.